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NHL Picks

This Week's Power Rankings: Welcome to the Party, Preds

Every Friday, NHL capper Dana Lane releases his power rankings betting trends that will help you make the most money. We have a new team in the Top 10 this week: Nashville.

These weekly Power Rankings are based on a formula that has produced the last three Stanley Cup champions. It’s not an exact science but it does reward a team for puck control, quality shots and winning. It’s pretty simple.

#10 Dallas Stars (35-22-4, 74 pts, +20 Goal Differential) LW 9

Stars were 2-2 last week but started to show some cracks offensively, which is why they’ve slipped a spot. In those four games, the Stars managed to score just 6 goals. They showed quite a bit by going into Los Angeles and beating the Kings after road losses against Anaheim and San Jose. Their resiliency allowed them to hang on to the 10th spot.

#9 Toronto Maple Leafs (38-20-5, 81 pts, +29) LW 10

I still think the Leafs are a year away from competing for the Cup. They need to find one more offensive weapon to help on the power play. More of a concern is the health of Auston Mathews, who left Thursday's game against the New York Islanders in the 3rd period after being crushed against the boards. Needless to say, any long-term injury would be devastating.

#8 Nashville Predators (37-14-9, 83 pts, +29) LW NR

With wins over the San Jose Sharks, Detroit Red Wings and the Ottawa Senators by a combined score of 15-5, the Predators forced their way into the top 10 this week. Peter Laviolette’s team is displaying the same defensive tendencies that led them to the Stanley Cup Final last season. Preds start season-defining road trip on Tuesday. They are favorites to win the Central Division.

Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff isn’t known to be active around the deadline and with Jacob Trouba coming back soon, Cheveldayoff may just stand pat with what he has. The Jets are deep at every position while being every bit as dangerous offensively as the Vegas Golden Knights and Tampa Bay Lightning.

#6 Tampa Bay Lightning (40-17-3 83 pts, +54) LW 6

The Lightning dropped a concerning game to the New Jersey Devils last week as a -212 NHL betting favorite before bouncing back to beat the Capitals (4-2). GM Steve Yzerman has said that the Lightning will not make a trade to add to the current roster.

#5 Boston Bruins (37-13-8, 82 pts, +48) LW 7

The Bruins bounced back from an embarrassing loss to Vancouver by beating the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers on the road. The B's look to be beefing up for the postseason with the acquisition of defenseman Nick Holden (3-9-13, -3) from the New York Rangers earlier in the week.

#4 Vegas Golden Knights (40-16-4, 84 pts, +46) LW 5

Vegas' offensive firepower was on display Wednesday against the Flames when they pounded Calgary 7-3. Many think the Knights could win the Presidents’ Trophy as they battle Tampa Bay for that honor.

#3 San Jose Sharks (33-19-8, 74 pts, +14) LW 4

Not as good as the Penguins, but the Sharks' power-play unit (22.4%) is second only to Winnipeg (24.35) in the West. Martin Jones is starting to heat up between the pipes (4-1, 1.79, .943 Last 5)

#2 St. Louis Blues (34-23-4 , 72 pts, +14) LW 3

One of the league’s best defensive teams allowing just 2.56 GPG. It’s rumored the team is looking to make an impact move at Monday's trade deadline.